The overall price of gorilla trekking is expensive because of the set price of the gorilla permits in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo all the 3 countries where mountain gorillas are seen up-close in the wild.
Gorilla trekking comes at a high price because mountain gorillas must be well protected and the activity well managed because gorillas are fragile and susceptible to many dangerous human diseases hence the great need to invest heavily on their conservation plan so that they survive and live healthy in the wild as we go gorilla trekking in the jungle to watch them closely for an intimate adventure.
Why is gorilla trekking expensive?
The gorillas are fragile and special rare creatures which are at a high risk of extinction if not conserved well, treated well and further research done for their protection. The gorilla permit price funds conservation activities like promoting research to help the mountain gorillas thrive successfully in the wild.
Medications and gorilla doctors must be facilitated and available to intervene incase of any sickness within the national parks.
Mountain gorilla trekking is expensive so as to limit numbers of tourists to the gorilla parks. In Rwanda when the gorilla permits were at $750, tourists were so many that the forest was excessively used and the gorilla habitant was getting destroyed since the forest is small in size. A high price regulates the numbers to a manageable capacity
The money received from gorilla permit buys 10% goes back into the local people living around the gorilla forests, like the Batwa pygmies whose welfare largely relies on communal projects setup by funds from the gorilla permits. The projects supply food, clothing, capital startup revenue for local businesses, improving schools, medical facilities.
A number of factors determine the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo ranging from the price of gorilla permits, the style of accommodation while visiting the gorillas, vehicle transfer logistics and local guides. Discussed below is a breakdown of the components of the cost of gorilla trekking to help you figure out how to budget for a gorilla trekking safari.
Price of Gorilla Permits.
Rwanda gorilla permits cost $1500 for international tourists, 30% within the lower season of November – May when international travelers are visiting other national parks and staying longer in Rwanda with supporting documents can be approved to obtain a Rwanda gorilla permit at $1050 Per person. Tourists visiting Rwanda on conference are also eligible to a discounted Rwanda gorilla permit of $1275 Per person while presenting supporting documents of the scheduled conference.
African nationals too have a good discount on the Rwandan gorilla permit costing $500 per person while holding an African passport.
Uganda gorilla permit
The Uganda gorilla permit costs $700 for international tourists and $600 for foreign residents within East African countries while presenting supporting documentation and $80 for East African nationals.
Congo Gorilla Permits.
Virunga national park gorilla permits cost $400 for international tourists and $250 while in the low season. Gorilla Permits in Kahuzu Biega national park for lowland gorilla trekking costs $400
Price of accommodations in gorilla parks.
Hotels are divided into categories of budget, deluxe, luxury, mid-luxury and super luxury with each category costing differently. The price of accommodation normally offers a peak season rate which is higher than a lower season rates.
- Budget accommodation cost USD 60 – 100 at Full Board / Half Board / Bed Breakfast Per night
- Deluxe accommodation costs USD 120 – 200
- Luxury accommodation costs USD 280 – 400
- Mid-Luxury accommodation costs USD 450 – 600
- Super Luxury accommodation costs USD 800 – 3000
Transport Logistics
Transportation for gorilla trekking is key to setting up a successful adventure to the gorillas. One can use charter flights, vehicle with driver guide or even public transport to save on the costs of your tour.
Numbers of tourists in the group
The numbers of the group normally lower the price of every tour and the gorilla trek is no different. The more numbers, the less the price of the general tour for all group members. This is because the group shares the price of vehicle and guide logistics plus accommodations to generally bring down the price of the tour.
How much is a gorilla safari? Sample tour costs.
1 Day gorilla tour from Kigali to Volcanoes national park by road costs $1650 Per person inclusive of gorilla permit, Transport and guide logistics pickup and drop off in Kigali.
A 3 Days Uganda gorilla tour from Kigali or Kampala to Bwindi impenetrable forest costs USD1220 on Budget accommodation and higher for other accommodation levels based on 2 people with all inclusive for the tour to see gorillas in the wild and 2 overnights in Bwindi Forest.
The 6 Days Uganda wildlife safari which covers gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park and wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth national park costs $2140 – 2700 based on 2 people with 5 nights full board accommodation and transport logistics.
What else determines the price of gorilla trekking
The length and nature of a gorilla safari
The more days a traveler spends on the gorilla trekking safari the more he/she spends and this also applies to the activities to do on this expedition. Some travelers go for gorilla trekking expedition for 3 days hence spending less on accommodation, transport, food and activities and there are those who go for more day and in the end have to more on the aforementioned tour items. In another case some travelers do double gorilla trekking or go for some other activities like golden monkey, cultural encounter and Kigali city tour or go to other national parks in Rwanda. These always have a different cost of the gorilla trekking safari than those who only go for only gorilla trekking.
The commission of the tour operator
The tour operator do a great job to turn a gorilla trekking safari into one package. The travel items of accommodation, transport and gorilla trekking fees are provided by different operator but the tour operator eases the work of the tourist to put them all together to enjoy them as a complete package. The tour operator book all these tourism services on behalf of the client and at the end of the day he/she needs remuneration for the great work done. This is always the commission or markup added in the cost of the gorilla trekking safari. The commission is also quoted in percentage, it can be 15% or 20% of the total cost of the entire cost of the gorilla trekking expedition.
The off-lodge meals
Most of the meals of the gorilla trekking safari are infused with the accommodation rates because it is a common policy for lodge/hotel to provide meals to clients. However, there are times when the meal time finds the travelers on the way getting to a certain destination and the have to make a stopover to a nearby restaurant to dine. These meals are always put into account when costing a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.
It should be noted that normally the cost of a gorilla trekking done by the local tour operators mainly comprises of the expenses a traveler incurs when he/she touches done in Rwanda. The air ticket and travel insurance is always left to the client to take care of them personally. Luxury expenses like cigarettes, alcohol and shop gifts are not quoted in the cost of the gorilla trekking safari.
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